The Colorado Avalanche are on the brink of advancing to the Western Conference Finals, and they have a chance to seal the deal on home ice tonight against the Minnesota Wild in Game 5. After a bold goaltending switch paid off in Game 4, the Avs return to Ball Arena with a commanding 3-1 series lead. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET, and it's the only NHL game on the schedule Wednesday—making it a must-watch for hockey fans.

Sometimes, the playoffs demand tough calls, and Colorado head coach Jared Bednar didn't hesitate. After regular-season standout Scott Wedgewood struggled in Game 3, Bednar turned to Mackenzie Blackwood for Game 4. It was Blackwood's first start in nearly a month, but he looked sharp, stopping 19 of 21 shots in a 5-2 victory. Now, it's hard to imagine anyone else in net for a potential clincher.

Blackwood has been especially strong against Minnesota, posting a 4-2-1 record with a 1.86 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in seven career starts with the Avalanche. He also thrived in bounce-back situations during the regular season, going 8-2-0 with a 2.20 GAA after a loss. "He was great," Bednar said. "He went in the net and did exactly what I was hoping he would do. He's been locked in during practice and did his homework on the series."

But the Avs had to navigate more than just a goalie change. Less than 30 minutes before Game 4, Bednar learned defenseman Sam Malinski and first-line winger Artturi Lehkonen were out with injuries. That forced captain Gabriel Landeskog to move up alongside star center Nathan MacKinnon on the top line. MacKinnon extended his points streak to five games with a goal and an assist, but he also took a scary puck to the face from teammate Devon Toews late in the second period. He stayed in the game, and the Avs will hope he's ready to go for Game 5.

With home ice advantage and a chance to close out the series, the Avalanche have all the momentum. For fans, this is the kind of high-stakes hockey that makes the playoffs unforgettable—and a perfect reminder to gear up in your favorite team's colors for the big game.